Discover the Fascinating Phenomenon of Thundersnow: Nature’s Weather Symphony

Jasmine: Hey there! I’m Jasmine.

Chrissy: And I’m Chrissy.

Jasmine: We’re with NIU STEAM and today’s episode is all about weather!

Chrissy: We got a question from Kristin in Genoa. She asks, “What is thundersnow and why does it happen?”

Jasmine: Great question! Thundersnow is a rare and fascinating weather event. It happens when a snowstorm produces thunder and lightning instead of rain. Imagine seeing heavy snowflakes fall while lightning flashes in the sky—that’s thundersnow!

Chrissy: Yes! Thundersnow often comes with strong winds and can create blizzard-like conditions. You’re most likely to see it in places with cold weather, like the northern U.S. and Canada.

Jasmine: So, why does thundersnow happen? It’s all about the atmosphere. When warm air rises quickly in an unstable atmosphere, it meets cold air at the surface. This combination can lead to thunderstorms even in winter.

Chrissy: That’s right! The strong updrafts and downdrafts in the storm create areas of positive and negative electrical charges, which, when they discharge, create lightning and thunder.

Jasmine: Thundersnow isn’t very common. It requires specific conditions that usually happen more in summer storms. And when thunder does happen during a snowstorm, the sound doesn’t travel far because snow acts like a sound barrier. The National Weather Service says there are only about 6.3 thundersnow events each year.

Chrissy: So if you ever experience thundersnow, consider yourself lucky! It’s a special treat from nature.

Jasmine: That wraps up today’s episode of The Sound of Science. Thanks for tuning in!